Product dispensers and refills for the same

ABSTRACT

A dispenser for sanitary tissue products comprises a body comprising a first foot and a second foot. The first foot and the second foot are configured to contact or rest on a support surface. The dispenser comprises a dispensing opening defined in the body at a position intermediate the first foot and the second foot. The dispensing opening faces the support surface.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to product dispensers and refills for the same, and more particularly, relates to sanitary tissue product dispensers and refills for the same.

BACKGROUND

Sanitary tissue products, such as facial tissues, for example, are typically dispensed from a cuboid-shaped paperboard box. Such boxes, in some instances, are not aesthetically pleasing and/or do not compliment the decor of many rooms or areas. As such, these boxes sometimes are not placed in the appropriate areas for regular usage, such as a on a coffee table in a family room or in a bathroom, for example, and are instead placed or hidden on a shelf or in a cabinet because of their aesthetics. As a result of this placement, sanitary tissue product usage by consumers can decrease. What is needed are sanitary tissue product dispensers and refills for the same that are aesthetically pleasing and that do compliment the decor of a room or area. This can drive increased usage of sanitary tissue products by consumers owing to proper placement of the dispensers in rooms or areas where such products are frequently needed.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to a dispenser for sanitary tissue products. The dispenser can comprise a body comprising a first foot and a second foot. The first foot and the second foot can be configured to contact or rest on a support surface. The dispenser can further comprise a dispensing opening defined in the body at a position intermediate the first foot and the second foot. The dispensing opening can face the support surface or face away from the support surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser for sanitary tissue products in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 positioned on a horizontal support surface in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 mounted to the bottom side of a horizontal support surface in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the dispensers and refills disclosed herein. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the dispensers and refills described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting example embodiments and that the scope of the various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure are defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting embodiment can be combined with the features of other non-limiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

“Fiber” as used herein means an elongate physical structure having an apparent length greatly exceeding its apparent diameter (i.e., a length to diameter ratio of at least about 10.) Fibers having a non-circular cross-section and/or tubular shape are common; the “diameter” in this case can be considered to be the diameter of a circle having cross-sectional area equal to the cross-sectional area of the fiber. More specifically, as used herein, “fiber” refers to fibrous structure-making fibers. The present disclosure contemplates the use of a variety of fibrous structure-making fibers, such as, for example, natural fibers or synthetic fibers, or any other suitable fibers, and any combination thereof.

“Fibrous structure” as used herein means a structure that comprises one or more fibers. Non-limiting examples of processes for making fibrous structures include known wet-laid papermaking processes and air-laid papermaking processes. Such processes typically comprise the steps of preparing a fiber composition in the form of a suspension in a medium, either wet, more specifically aqueous medium, or dry, more specifically gaseous, i.e. with air as medium. The aqueous medium used for wet-laid processes is oftentimes referred to as a fiber slurry. The fibrous suspension is then used to deposit a plurality of fibers onto a forming wire or belt such that an embryonic fibrous structure is formed, after which drying and/or bonding the fibers together results in a fibrous structure. Further processing the fibrous structure can be carried out such that a finished fibrous structure is formed. For example, in typical papermaking processes, the finished fibrous structure is the fibrous structure that is wound on the reel at the end of papermaking and can subsequently be converted into a finished product (e.g. a sanitary tissue product).

“Sanitary tissue product” as used herein means one or more finished fibrous structures, converted or not, that is useful as a wiping implement for post-urinary and post-bowel movement cleaning (e.g., toilet tissue and wet wipes), for otorhinolaryngological discharges (e.g., facial tissue), and multi-functional absorbent and cleaning uses (e.g., paper towels and shop towels). The sanitary tissue products can be embossed or not embossed and creped or uncreped.

“Machine direction” as used herein means the direction of travel of the product through any manufacturing equipment.

“Cross direction” as used herein means the direction perpendicular to the machine direction (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the product through any manufacturing equipment).

In one embodiment, the dispensers of the present disclosure can be used to dispense paper products, non-woven products, combination paper and non-woven products, and/or other products. These products can include sanitary tissue products, wet wipes, sanitary napkins, diapers, medical garments and/or other garments, for example. Those of skill in the art will recognize that other products can also be dispensed from the dispensers.

The products can be packaged or placed into “refills” prior to being placed into the dispensers or can be placed directly into the dispensers without prior packaging. In various embodiments, the outer surfaces of the refills can be somewhat rigid, such as by using hard plastics, metals, and/or paperboard in manufacturing, or can be flexible, such as by using films or fibrous structures in manufacturing, for example. Other materials that can be used to form the refills are anti-microbial materials, anti-static materials, and anti-bacterial materials. In some embodiments, the products can be placed into a refill and the refill can then be placed into a void area in a dispenser. These products can be previously packaged to fit into the refills or can be loaded into the refills by consumers without prior packaging specific to a refill. In other embodiments, the previously packaged products can actually comprise the refills. In some embodiments, the refills can form outer portions of the dispensers, while in other embodiments, the refills can be positioned within void areas in the dispensers so as to not form an outer portion of the dispenser. The dispensers can be manufactured using any suitable materials, such as hard plastics, metals, wood, fibrous materials, and/or paperboard, for example. Other materials that can be used to form the dispensers are anti-microbial materials, anti-static materials, and anti-bacterial materials.

In one embodiment, when sanitary tissue products are packaged into the refills and/or into the dispensers, these products can be arranged in sheets that can be L-folded, C-folded, U-folded, W-folded, Z-folded (all in both the machine direction and/or the cross-direction), or not folded, for example. Those of skill in the art will recognize other suitable folding for sheets of sanitary tissue products. In various embodiments, the sheets of sanitary tissue products can be interleaved with each other or separate from each other (i.e., not interleaved). In one embodiment, the sanitary tissue products may have an arcuate bend to them without actually being folded. In still other embodiments, the sanitary tissue products can be provided in rolls optionally with perforations between the individual sanitary tissue products.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, an example dispenser 10 is illustrated. The dispenser 10 can be used to dispense sanitary tissue products 12 or other products. The dispenser 10 can comprise a body 14. The body 14 can have an arcuate portion, be generally arch-shaped, be generally U-shaped, and/or have a curvature or curved portion. The body 14 can comprise at least one foot or base configured to rest against a surface, be attached to a surface, and/or be positioned against a surface. In one embodiment, the body 14 can comprise a first foot 16 and a second foot 18.

In other embodiments, the first and second feet 16 and 18 can be replaced by a single base (not illustrated). The first foot 16 and the second foot 18 can be on opposite sides of the dispenser 10 from each other and can be wide and long enough to support the body 14 of the dispenser 10 in an upright position. In various embodiments, the first foot 16 and the second foot 18 can comprise a resilient or high coefficient of friction material, such as rubber, for example, thereon to prevent, or at least inhibit, the dispenser 10 from sliding or moving on a surface during dispensing. In other embodiments, the first foot 16 and the second foot 18 can comprise attachment members, such as adhesives or adhesive strips, that can be used to attach the dispenser 10 to a surface, such as a vertical wall, for example. In various embodiments, the body 14 of the dispenser 10 can have a top surface 20 and a bottom surface 22. Either of the surfaces 20, 22 or both of the surfaces 20, 22 can have one or more dispensing openings 24 defined therein. In various embodiments, two or more dispensing openings 24 can be defined in the body 14, where a consumer can select one or more dispensing openings 24 for use by removing a film or the other material positioned over the dispensing opening 24. The dispensing openings 24 can be defined in the body 14 at positions intermediate the first foot 16 and the second foot 18. In one embodiment, the dispensing openings 24 can be centrally located, or generally centrally located, about a midpoint of the body 14 intermediate the first foot 16 and the second foot 18. If the dispensing opening 24 is defined in the bottom surface 22, the body 14 can protect the sanitary tissue product 12 within the dispenser 10 from dust accumulation and/or from getting wet.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the dispenser 10 can be positioned on or mounted to a support surface 26. The support surface 26 can be a countertop, a top of a toilet tank, a vertical wall, a table, or any other suitable surface. In the event that the support surface 26 is horizontal (e.g., FIG. 2), or generally horizontal, the dispenser 10 can be placed on top of the support surface 26 without the use of attachment members, such as adhesive strips, although attachment members can be used if a consumer desires the dispenser 10 to be permanently fixed to the horizontal support surface 26. In the event that the support surface 26 is vertical, other than horizontal, or the dispenser 10 is being hung from the bottom side of a horizontal support surface 26 (e.g., FIG. 3), attachment members can be used to attach or mount the dispenser 10 to the support surface 26. In various embodiments, the attachment members can be engaged with or formed with the first foot 16 and/or the second foot 18 so that the first and second feet 16 and 18 can be mounted to the support surface 26. In one embodiment, attachment members, such as magnets, adhesive strips, portions of hook and loop fasteners (with the other portion being attached to the support surface 26), can be used on the first and second feet 16, 18. In one embodiment, a portion of the body 14 can comprise a hook or hanger 28 extending therefrom for hanging the dispenser 10 on a door or other support surface 26. Those of skill in the art will recognize other ways to mount and/or use the dispensers 10 of the present disclosure.

In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 1-3, the dispensing openings 24 can be positioned at any suitable position on the body 14 of the dispenser 10. In one embodiment, at least one dispensing opening 24 can be positioned so that it faces the support surface 26. As a result, dispensing of the sanitary tissue products 12 can be in a direction generally toward the support surface 26 contrary to conventional sanitary tissue product dispensers, such as conventional tissue box dispensers, which dispense away from a support surface. In the configuration of FIG. 2, the sanitary tissue products 12 can be biased toward the dispensing opening 24 and/or the support surface 26 via gravity. This can reduce “fall-back” of the sanitary tissue products 12, which is a common issue with conventional paperboard tissue boxes since dispensing is upward (i.e., away from the support surface) and gravity pulls the sanitary tissue products 12 downward (i.e., away from the dispensing opening). As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, one or more dispensing openings 24 can also be defined in the top surface 20 such that dispensing of the sanitary tissue products 12 can occur in a direction away from or generally parallel with the support surface 26 (i.e., upwardly or outwardly from the dispenser 10 away from the support surface 26). FIGS. 1 and 7 illustrate a peel off portion 30, such as a film, covering the dispensing opening 24 that can be removed by a consumer if use of the dispensing opening 24 on the top surface 20 is desired. All other dispensing openings 24 can have, but are not required to have, this peel off portion 30.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, the dispenser 10 can be mounted to an underside of a support surface 26, such as a countertop, a cabinet, a table, or other suitable support surface. In such an embodiment, the dispensing openings 24 can be provided on the top surface 20 and/or the bottom surface 22 such that dispensing can occur toward, away from, and/or generally parallel to the support surface 26. This first and second feet 16 and 18 of the dispenser 10 can be mounted or adhered to the underside of the support surface 26 using an attachment member, such as adhesive strips, for example.

In various embodiments, the dispensers 10 can be formed of, or partially formed of, metallic materials or other materials for aesthetic purposes. Various designs can be included on outer surfaces of the dispensers 10. These designs can be used such that the dispensers 10 can compliment or match the decor of a room or area. Other designs can also be provided based on consumer needs or desires.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 4, a portion of the dispenser 10 can be removed, or at least partially removed, from the body 14 or opened such that additional products, such as sanitary tissue products 12, for example, or a refill of products can be loaded into a void inside the body 14 of the dispenser 10. In one example, the shaded portion 32 of the dispenser 10 can be removed, or at least partially removed, from the non-shaded portion 34 or opened. In various embodiments, the shaded portion 32 can be completely removed from the non-shaded portion 34 or can pivot or slide relative to the non-shaded portion 34 to allow access to a refill or product receiving void within the body 14. The engagement between the refill and the void in the body 14 can be lock and key engagement. In other embodiments, a pivotable door (not illustrated) can be positioned on the shaded portion 32 or formed within the shaded portion 32. The door can be pivoted open to permit access to the void within the body 14. In one embodiment, the shaded portion 32 can be a part of the refill, where the refill merely rests on or engages the non-shaded portion 34.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, sanitary tissue products 12 can be positioned inside a void within the body 14 or within a refill positioned within the body 14. The sanitary tissue products 12 can have an arcuate shape within the body 14 or can be flat within the body 14. The sanitary tissue products 12 can be dispensed through the dispensing opening 24, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1-3.

In one embodiment, the dispensers 10 or refills can comprise or can be sold with attachment members or the attachment members can be sold separately. The attachment members can be formed with or applied to the dispensers 10 or refills prior to sale or can be attachable to the dispensers or refills post-sale. In one embodiment, the attachment members can be configured to attach a portion of the dispenser 10 (e.g., the first and second feet 16, 18) or refill to a surface, such as a wall, cabinet door, refrigerator, or countertop, for example. The attachment members can be adhesives, such as 3M peel strips, portions of hook and loop fasteners (with the other portion of the hook and loop fastener attached to the surface), hooks, hangers 28, tape, and/or magnets, for example.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, the dispensers 10 and/or refills of the present disclosure can define a scent cartridge receiving chamber 38. In such an embodiment, the scent cartridge receiving chamber 38 can be in fluid communication with apertures 40 in the dispensers 10 or refills, such that a scent can be emitted from the dispensers 10 or refills to an external environment when a scent cartridge 42 is placed into the scent cartridge receiving chamber 38. The scent cartridge 42 can be activated by a consumer upon placement into the scent cartridge receiving chamber 38 by removing a film, bending the scent cartridge 42, or otherwise causing the scent cartridge 42 to begin emitting a scent. In one embodiment, the scent cartridge 42 can contain FEBREZE® manufactured by The Procter & Gamble Company. In other various embodiments, the scent cartridge 42 can contain any other consumer pleasing scent. The scent cartridges 42 can be sold with the refills or the dispensers 10 or can be sold separately.

In other various embodiments, the dispensers 10 or refills may not define scent cartridge receiving chambers therein. In such an embodiment, referring to FIG. 5, a scent cartridge 42 can be attached to or adhered to any surface of the dispensers 10 or refills, such as a surface in fluid communication with the external environment of the dispensers 10 or refills. In still other embodiments, a scent cartridge can be formed into the dispensers 10 or refills and a film can be removed from over the scent cartridge 42, for example, to activate the scent. In various other embodiments, portions of the dispensers 10 or refills themselves can be infused with a scent or manufactured with materials that emit a scent.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 5, the dispensers 10 or refills of the present disclosure can comprise one or more transparent or substantially transparent portions or apertures 44 such that a consumer can view the level of products, such as sanitary tissue products 12, within the dispensers 10 or refills. The transparent portions or apertures 44 can be provided at any suitable position on the dispensers 10 or refills. The transparent portions 44, in one embodiment, can be formed using transparent films, for example.

In one embodiment, the dispensers 10 or refills of the present disclosure can comprise one or more light sources (not illustrated), such as an LED or a light bulb, for example. The light source can be illuminated by a consumer using a switch on the dispensers 10 or refills or can be motion or sound (e.g., a sneeze) activated using sensors known to those of ordinary skill in the art. By providing such light sources, consumers can see the location of the dispensers 10 in the dark or in low light conditions, such as in a bedroom at night.

In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, the dispensers 10 or refills of the present disclosure can comprise visual indicia 46, such as logos, brand names, instructions, or other words or designs. The visual indicia 46 can be printed on, formed in, and/or stickered on the dispensers 10, for example.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, the dispenser 10 can comprise a biasing member 48, such as a spring, for example, configured to bias the sanitary tissue products 12 toward the dispensing opening 24. Of course, the biasing member 48, can also bias the sanitary tissue products 12 toward a dispensing opening 24 defined in the top surface 20 to prevent, or at least inhibit, “fall back” of the sanitary tissue products 12.

In one embodiment, the dispensers 10 can comprise apparatuses to heat and/or cool the sanitary tissue products or dispense mists or fluids (e.g., water, perfumes, therapeutic scents, lotions, mists) onto the sanitary tissue products. The dispensers 10 can also comprise hand sanitizer dispensers and trash receptacles for sanitary tissue products.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, those of skill in the art will recognize that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispenser for sanitary tissue products, the dispenser comprising: a body comprising a first foot and a second foot, wherein the first foot and the second foot are configured to contact a support surface; and a dispensing opening defined in the body at a position intermediate the first foot and the second foot, wherein the dispensing opening faces the support surface.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the body has a U-shape.
 3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the dispensing opening is defined in the bottom surface.
 4. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the body defines a second dispensing opening in the top surface.
 5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a plurality of sanitary tissue products, and wherein the sanitary tissue products are biased via gravity toward the dispensing opening.
 6. A dispenser for sanitary tissue products, the dispenser comprising: an arch-shaped body comprising a first foot and a second foot, wherein the first foot and the second foot are configured to rest on a support surface; and a dispensing opening defined in the body, wherein the dispensing opening faces the support surface.
 7. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the arch-like body comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the dispensing opening is defined in the bottom surface.
 8. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein the body defines a second dispensing opening, and wherein the second dispensing opening is defined in the top surface.
 9. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the body comprising a plurality of sanitary tissue products, and wherein the sanitary tissue products are biased via gravity toward the dispensing opening.
 10. A dispenser for sanitary tissue products, the dispenser comprising: a U-shaped body comprising a base, wherein the base is configured to engage a surface; and a dispensing opening defined about a midpoint of the body.
 11. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the body comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the dispensing opening is defined in the bottom surface.
 12. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the body comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the dispensing opening is defined in the top surface.
 13. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the body defines a scent cartridge receiving chamber therein.
 14. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the body defines an aperture therethrough, and wherein the aperture is in fluid communication with the scent cartridge receiving chamber.
 15. The dispenser of claim 14, comprising a scent cartridge positioned within the scent cartridge receiving chamber.
 16. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the body comprises a plurality of sanitary tissue products, and wherein the sanitary tissue products are biased via gravity toward the dispensing opening.
 17. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the body comprises a transparent window.
 18. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the body comprises a biasing member configured to bias sanitary tissue products toward the dispensing opening.
 19. The dispenser of claim 18, wherein the biasing member comprises a spring.
 20. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the body comprises one of an anti-static material and an anti-microbial material. 